Date: 24 May 2018

QUT’s inaugural #QUTGivingDay has proven to be an enormous success, raising over $1.6 million to support over 20 of QUT’s vital projects.

QUT Director of Alumni and Development, Simone Garske, said her team was overwhelmed by the incredible support from students, staff, alumni, friends and the general public for #QUTGivingDay.

Ms Garske said the generosity from donors meant QUT achieved its goal of attracting 500 donors, before #QUTGivingDay even began.

“In the lead up to the day, we encouraged everyone to make a donation, of any size, to an area of QUT that was close to their heart,” Ms Garske said.

“Our generous QUT Alumnus and CEO of Yum! Brands, Greg Creed, offered to donate $500,000 if QUT could get 500 donors. We had an outpouring of support and were successful in this challenge before the day even started!”

Hearing of the news that his original $500,000 challenge was already met, Greg Creed surprised everyone on the morning of #QUTGivingDay, announcing a brand new challenge via video message.

“If QUT can raise $1 million by midnight on #QUTGivingDay (22 May), I will donate an extra $500,000 on top of the $500,000 I have already donated,” Mr Creed said.

Ms Garske said the announcement lit a fire underneath everyone, and with that new goal in mind, the gifts poured in.

“Many who had already donated, donated again so that the extra $500,000 would be unlocked,” she said.

By midnight on May 22, the #QUTGivingDay campaign had received over 1500 donations, and raised over $1 million, unlocking Greg Creed’s extra $500,000.

Ms Garske said all of the money donated would go directly to the project or fund chosen by the donor.

Professor Margaret Sheil AO said she was incredibly proud of what #QUTGivingDay managed to achieve both in the lead up to, and on the day.

QUT Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Margaret Sheil and students celebrate #QUTGivingDay.

“This a fantastic effort, and really demonstrates what can be achieved when the QUT community comes together. A big thank you must also go to our hero donor and alumnus, Greg Creed for his generous leadership in providing two challenge gifts of $500,000,” she said

“The outpouring of generosity will enable future generations to benefit from a broad range of QUT projects from those that aim to save the Great Barrier Reef to advancing prostate and other cancer research to assisting students facing financial hardship.”